Tag Archives: Window Cleaner

March Home Exterior Checklist

A Simple Way to Get Ahead Before Spring Goes Full Speed

March is that awkward in-between month.

One day it feels like winter. The next day the sun is blazing through your windows like it’s mid-April… and suddenly you’re noticing everything on the glass.

Before pollen season kicks in and your weekend calendar fills up, this is the perfect time for a quick exterior reset.

Here’s your simple March checklist to get ahead of the game.

1. Wash Off Winter Window Grime

Winter leaves its mark. Even if you don’t see it right away, your windows have been collecting:

Wind-blown dust
Hard water spotting
Snow and ice residue
Mineral buildup
Screen debris

Then March sunshine hits… and surprise! Every streak shows up.

Cleaning your windows now:

Lets in more natural light
Helps prevent pollen from sticking
Instantly brightens your home
Protects the life of your glass

Don’t skip the screens. Even clean glass looks dull behind dusty screens. And if you’re planning to open windows soon, you don’t want that debris blowing inside.

2. Clean Out Tracks & Sills

Before you crack the windows open on that first warm day, check the tracks.

Winter moisture often leaves behind:

Dirt buildup
Dead bugs
Mud
Beginning mold

A quick vacuum and wipe-down keeps things sliding smoothly, and keeps grime from blowing into your home.

3. Inspect Screens for Tears

Now’s the time to check for:

Small holes
Loose frames
Bent corners
Warping

It’s much easier to fix screens now than discover a problem once the bugs arrive.

Future you will be grateful.

4. Check Gutters Before Spring Rains

Snow melt + spring storms = overflow if gutters are clogged.

Make sure:

Pine needles and leaves are cleared out
Downspouts drain away from your foundation
No winter damage needs attention

March is your calm-before-the-storm moment.

5. Give Siding a Light Rinse

A gentle rinse removes:

Road salt residue
Dust buildup
Cobwebs
Winter grime

You don’t have to go full pressure wash mode yet, just freshen things up so your home feels ready for the new season. But avoid your windows, and if you do get water on them, make sure to clean them right after to avoid hard water stains.

6. Check Solar Panels (If You Have Them)

Winter debris and dust reduce efficiency. As sunshine hours increase, clean panels mean better performance and a better return on your investment.

Why March Is the Sweet Spot

March is early enough to:

✔ It’s still months before peak pollen
✔ Avoid the spring service rush
✔ Prevent grime from baking onto glass
✔ Feel ahead of spring cleaning instead of behind

It’s a small effort now that makes a big difference once spring hits full stride.

A Friendly Reminder Before the Spring Rush

Every year, once the weather consistently warms up, schedules fill quickly. The first real stretch of sunny days tends to flip the switch for everyone at once.

If you’re already thinking, “Yep… our windows need it,” this is the ideal time to get on the calendar before the true spring rush hits.

No pressure, just planning ahead.

At Peak Window Cleaning, we love helping homeowners head into spring with crystal-clear glass, fresh screens, and sunlight that actually sparkles instead of highlighting streaks.

Because nothing feels better than that first bright spring day shining through spotless windows.

Ready to roll into spring?

Pets, Dry Winter Air, and Dusty Windows in Mountain Homes

Winter in the mountains means more time indoors for everyone, especially our pets. More couch cuddles, more window watching, and yes, more nose prints on the glass. If your interior windows are looking dusty or smudged no matter how often you wipe them, you are not alone.

This is one of the most common winter issues we see in mountain homes.

Why Pets Make Winter Window Buildup Worse

When pets are indoors most of the day, they naturally release fur, dander, and oils into the air as they move around. Those particles do not just land on floors or furniture. They float, circulate, and stick to smooth surfaces like interior windows and glass doors.

Add in the classic nose-on-the-glass move, a few paw smudges, and fur collecting in window tracks, and your windows start to show it fast. This is especially noticeable in homes with big windows and lots of winter sunlight.

Dry Air and Static Electricity Are Sneaky

Mountain winters are dry, and indoor heating dries the air out even more. That dry air creates static electricity, which basically turns your windows into dust magnets.

Instead of dust falling away, it clings to the glass. That is why windows can look dirty again shortly after being wiped, even when you just cleaned them.

If you have pets, that static effect pulls pet hair and dander right back onto the glass.

Why February Is the Tipping Point

By February, homes have been closed up for months. Pets have been inside more, heaters have been running nonstop, and dust has had time to build up. On top of that, the winter sun sits lower in the sky and shines right across your windows, highlighting every smudge and streak (and unfortunately, defects).

Suddenly, the windows you were ignoring all winter are impossible to unsee.

How We Can Help

A professional interior window cleaning removes the oils and residue that regular wiping leaves behind, which helps reduce static and keeps glass cleaner longer. Cleaning window tracks also removes pet hair and debris that continue to circulate through the home.

High interior areas matter too. Pet hair and dust do not stay at ground level. They collect on ceiling fans, beams, ledges, and high trim, especially when heating systems are running. Professional high interior vacuuming and dusting safely removes that buildup, helping keep dust from falling back down onto freshly cleaned surfaces and improving overall air quality.

Most of our winter customers tell us the same thing. They did not realize how much it would improve the feel of their home until the windows and high areas were clean again.

Before Spring

If your pets have been enjoying their favorite window views a little too much this winter, February is a great time to refresh your interior windows and high surfaces.

Just a simple reset to let more light in and enjoy those mountain views again before spring mud and pollen arrive.

When you are ready, we are happy to help.

Clean Screens Are Essential for Air Quality

As our mountain summer starts to wind down and we start transitioning into cooler months, it’s common to shut our windows again after months of enjoying fresh outdoor air. But before you seal everything up, take a moment to look at your window screens. Chances are, they’ve collected quite a bit of dust, pollen, and other debris during our warmer months.

Cleaning your window screens isn’t just about appearances, it plays a major role in your home’s air quality and overall comfort. Here’s why this simple task should be on your seasonal to-do list:

Improved Indoor Air Quality

During summer, we tend to leave our windows open more often to welcome in fresh air, but also inviting in dust, pollen and other debris. Your screens act as the first line of defense, trapping particles before they enter your home. Over time, these particles build up on the screen and can become airborne again, especially when windows are opened or closed.

A dirty screen can’t do its job properly. By cleaning it, you’re ensuring that less of that outdoor pollution ends up inside your home, leading to cleaner, healthier air for your family.

Pollen and Allergen Control

If you or someone in your household struggles with seasonal allergies, you know how miserable pollen exposure can be. Unfortunately, screens can become a hidden source of allergen buildup. When pollen sticks to screens and isn’t cleaned off, it can continue to circulate indoors, even after allergy season should be over.

Regular screen cleaning helps minimize allergens and provides some relief, especially after having your windows open during summer.

Less Dust Around the House

Window screens can collect fine dust that easily makes its way inside when windows are open or when airflow shifts. If your home seems to get dusty quickly, your window screens might be to blame. Giving them a good wash can cut down on the amount of dust that enters your living spaces, making cleaning easier and keeping surfaces dust free longer.

Prolong the Life of Your Screens (and Windows)

Dirt and debris can cause your screens to degrade faster over time. Grime buildup traps moisture and can lead to rust, mold, or fabric deterioration. By taking a few minutes to clean them, you’re extending the life of your screens and avoiding unnecessary replacement costs. Clean screens also mean your windows stay cleaner longer too, since there’s less grime to transfer between them.

A Clearer View

Let’s not forget the aesthetic bonus, clean screens make a noticeable difference in the clarity of your windows. A quick clean can brighten your windows and your outlook.

How Often to Clean Your Screens

Screens act as filters and need to be cleaned regularly to stay in good condition, and work the way they are intended. Cleaning screens twice per year is recommended.

How to Clean Your Window Screens: A Quick Tip

All you need is a soft brush or sponge, some mild soap, and a hose or bucket of water. Remove the screens, gently scrub both sides, rinse thoroughly, and let them dry completely before reinstalling. Or give us a call and we’ll clean them for you!

Breathe Easier This Fall

Cleaning your window screens might seem like a small chore, but it has a big impact on the air you breathe and the cleanliness of your home. As you prepare your house for fall, make this simple maintenance task part of your seasonal routine. Your lungs and your windows will thank you.

Clean Windows Are a Must When Selling Your Home

When it comes to selling your house, first impressions matter the most. While you may focus on staging or fresh paint, there’s one detail that often gets overlooked but can make a huge difference: your windows.

Clean windows might not be the flashiest upgrade, but they send a powerful message to potential buyers. Here’s why sparkling windows should be on every seller’s to-do list before that first showing:

Maximize Natural Light

Natural light is one of the top features buyers look for in a home. Dirty windows block light and make even the brightest room feel dull. Clean windows allow the sunshine to pour in, making spaces feel larger, more welcoming, and more cheerful.

Boost Curb Appeal

Buyers start forming opinions before they even walk through the door. From the street or the driveway, dirty windows can give the impression that the home isn’t well cared for, even when everything else looks great. The shine that clean windows have can be seen when your potential buyer drives up, helping the whole house look better maintained and more attractive.

Highlight the View

Whether your home overlooks a lush backyard, a mountain range, or just a quiet street, clean windows help buyers actually see and appreciate the view. Smudges, dust, or pollen buildup can create a barrier that distracts from what’s outside.

Create a Sense of Care and Cleanliness

Clean windows send a subtle but important message: “This home has been taken care of.” Buyers are always on the lookout for signs that a home has been well-maintained. Sparkling glass tells them that the little things matter here and that could be the nudge that tips them toward making an offer.

Improve Listing Photos

Most buyers see your home for the first time online. Smudgy or cloudy windows in your photos can affect how bright your space looks and show up in the pictures themselves. Professional photography combined with crystal-clear windows makes your listing pop on real estate sites and social media.

Stand Out from the Competition

Details can set your home apart from the rest. Professional window cleaning is a simple, cost-effective way to give your home that “extra something” buyers remember. It’s a finishing touch that adds polish without a full renovation.

Ready to Let the Light In?

If you’re preparing to sell, don’t overlook your windows. A quick cleaning, especially by professionals, can be the difference between a good showing and a great one.

Let your windows sparkle so your home can shine.

Windows as Picture Frames: Reclaiming the View You Fell in Love With

Living in the mountains means waking up to breathtaking views with towering pines, wandering wildlife, and vibrant sunsets. But over time, our windows, the lenses through which we see it all, can get clouded by dust and weather. When that happens, we miss out on the full experience of the landscape we love, the reason you chose to live here.

Your Windows Are Picture Frames

Imagine walking into a gallery where every painting is behind smudged, dusty glass. No matter how incredible the art is, it’s dulled, distant, less alive.

That’s exactly what happens in our homes. Windows are the picture frames for nature’s beauty. And when they’re dirty, streaked, or clouded with mountain dust, that masterpiece loses its magic.

In a place where the beauty of the outdoors are one of the main reasons for living here, keeping your view crystal-clear isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.

Let Your Home Be a Gallery

Whether you’re sipping coffee by the window or hosting friends and family, your windows frame the experiences that make mountain living so special. Let them do their job beautifully.

Clean windows do more than improve curb appeal, they connect you with your surroundings and brighten your home inside and out. Make sure your view stays clear with regular scheduled maintenance window and screen cleanings.

If it’s been a while since you’ve seen your view in full color and clarity, it might be time to clean the picture frames.

Spring Window Cleaning: Why Rain Doesn’t Make Clean Windows Dirty

As the snow melts and the days get longer, spring is the perfect time to freshen up your home, and one of the best places to start is your windows. After months of winter grime, your windows are likely overdue for a good cleaning. But here’s something that might surprise you: clean windows actually stay clean longer, and rain alone doesn’t dirty them, dirt does.

Rain Isn’t the Enemy, Dirt Is

It’s a common myth that it’s pointless to clean windows in spring because rain will just make them dirty again. But here’s the truth: rainwater on its own is relatively clean. What makes rain “dirty” is when it hits a window that already has a layer of dust, pollen, pollution, or grime. The rainwater mixes with those particles, creating streaks and spots.

When your windows are thoroughly cleaned, especially professionally, there’s no layer of residue for rain to react with. So after it rains, the water just sheets off or dries up without leaving a mess. That means your freshly cleaned windows look better and stay that way longer.

Why Spring Is a Good Time for Window Cleaning

Winter leaves behind more than just cabin fever, it coats your windows with dirt, and debris that can dull the glass and even cause damage if left untreated. Spring is the ideal time to:

Remove built-up grime
Let in more natural light
Improve your home’s curb appeal
Spot issues like damaged seals or screens early

Plus, cleaning your windows in spring sets you up for a clearer, brighter view, and who doesn’t want to enjoy those sunny views?

A Clean Start That Lasts

Clean windows don’t just look better, they perform better. Dirt and debris can actually etch the surface of the glass over time, leading to permanent clouding or scratches. Regular cleanings protect your windows, extend their life, and save you money down the line.

So this spring, don’t let the fear of rain stop you from scheduling a window cleaning. In fact, doing it now means your windows will look better after a rainstorm, not worse. Clean windows repel dirt, shed water better, and help your whole home shine.

The Necessity of Gutter Cleaning: Why It’s Essential for Your Home

Gutters are one of the most overlooked yet vital components of a well-maintained home. They quietly perform the crucial task of directing rainwater away from your house, protecting your roof, walls, foundation, and landscaping from water damage. However, when gutters become clogged with pine needles, leaves, twigs, and other debris, they can’t function properly, leading to a host of issues. Regular gutter cleaning is essential to ensure that your home remains safe, functional, and beautiful.

Here’s why keeping your gutters clean should be a top priority.

1. Prevent Water Damage

The primary function of gutters is to channel rainwater away from your home. When gutters are clogged, water can’t flow freely through the system, causing it to overflow, especially when heavy rain occurs. This can lead to water seeping into your home’s foundation, basement, or crawl spaces, resulting in structural damage and costly repairs. Water that overflows from clogged gutters can also damage your siding, causing rot, mold, and mildew. By cleaning your gutters regularly, you help prevent water from pooling around your home and causing serious issues.

2. Avoid Roof Damage

Clogged gutters can also cause significant damage to your roof. When water can’t drain properly, it can back up onto the roof, leading to leaks and water damage. The excess weight of water and debris in clogged gutters can also cause the gutters themselves to pull away from the roof, damaging the fascia boards and potentially leading to roof leaks. Regular gutter cleaning helps ensure that water flows off your roof as intended, protecting both the roof and the underlying structure.

3. Prevent Ice Dams in Winter

Clogged gutters also contribute to ice dams forming which are a common issue in cold weather climates like ours. Ice dams occur when snow on your roof melts, runs down the roof, and then refreezes at the gutter line. This can cause water to back up under your roof shingles, leading to leaks and water damage inside your home. By cleaning your gutters before winter, you reduce the risk of ice dams forming, protecting your home from potential winter weather damage.

4. Prevent Pest Infestations

Gutters clogged with leaves, twigs, and standing water can become a breeding ground for pests. Insects like carpenter ants are attracted to the moist environment, while rodents and birds may see clogged gutters as an ideal nesting spot. These pests can cause further damage to your home and may even find their way inside. By keeping your gutters clean, you eliminate the conditions that attract pests and reduce the risk of infestations.

5. Extend the Life of Your Gutters

Gutters that are regularly cleaned and maintained will last longer than those that are neglected. When debris accumulates in gutters, it can cause corrosion and damage to the gutter material itself. Additionally, the weight of accumulated debris and standing water can cause gutters to sag or pull away from your home, leading to the need for repairs or replacements. By cleaning your gutters regularly, you help extend their lifespan, saving you money in the long run.

6. Protect Your Landscaping

Overflowing gutters can cause more than just structural damage to your home—they can also damage landscaping. When water spills over the sides of clogged gutters, it can erode soil, damage plants, and cause pooling water in your yard. Clean gutters direct water away from your home and landscaping, helping to preserve the beauty and integrity of your outdoor spaces.

7. Increase Your Home’s Value

Well-maintained gutters are a sign that you take good care of your home, which can increase its value in the eyes of potential buyers. Clean gutters not only protect your home from damage but also improve its curb appeal. A home with clean, functional gutters looks more attractive and is less likely to have underlying water damage issues. Whether you plan to sell your home soon or not, regular gutter cleaning is a simple way to preserve and even increase its value.

Conclusion

Gutter cleaning is an often forgotten home maintenance task until that heavy rain comes and you notice water pouring out in places it shouldn’t. Clean gutters protect your home from water damage, roof damage, ice dams, pest infestations, and landscaping issues, while also extending the life of your gutters and maintaining your home’s value.

PEAK offers gutter cleaning in spring and fall. Don’t wait until you’re faced with costly repairs—schedule your gutter cleaning today.

The Importance of Clean Window Screens: Enhancing Your View and Home Environment

Windows are often described as the eyes of a house, offering a glimpse into the world outside while allowing natural light to flood indoor spaces. However, the unsung heroes that facilitate this interaction with the outdoors are window screens. These mesh-like barriers serve multiple purposes, from keeping pests out to filtering sunlight and improving air circulation. Yet, despite their critical role, window screens are often neglected when it comes to regular cleaning and maintenance.

Why Clean Window Screens Matter

1. Better Indoor Air Quality

Window screens trap dust, pollen, and other airborne particles that would otherwise enter your home. Over time, these particles accumulate, reducing the quality of indoor air. Cleaning screens regularly helps prevent the buildup of allergens and pollutants, thereby contributing to a healthier living environment, especially important for those with allergies or respiratory conditions.

2. Improved Visibility and Aesthetics

Dirty screens obscure the view from your windows, diminishing the clarity and brightness of natural light. By keeping screens clean, you ensure that your windows provide a clear and unobstructed view of the outdoors, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of both your interior and exterior spaces.

3. Prolonged Lifespan of Screens and Windows

Dirt and debris can cause wear and tear on window screens, leading to premature deterioration. Regular cleaning removes debris that could damage the screen material over time, thereby extending their lifespan. Moreover, clean screens help maintain the integrity of your windows by preventing debris from accumulating in window tracks and sills. If the screen is unable to contain the debris, it falls to the tracks and sills, which can affect the functionality of the window.

4. Energy Efficiency

Clean window screens allow for better airflow and ventilation throughout your home. In warmer months, this promotes natural cooling by facilitating the movement of fresh air indoors. Improved ventilation can also reduce the need for cooling systems, thus contributing to energy conservation and lower utility bills.

5. Prevention of Pest Infestations

Window screens serve as barriers against insects and pests seeking entry into your home. However, if screens are dirty or damaged, they may not effectively deter pests. Regular cleaning and inspection of screens help identify and address any tears or holes that could potentially compromise their function as a protective barrier.

How to Clean Window Screens

Peak Window Cleaning uses several methods to clean screens depending on the size of the screen and how dirty they are.

Our favorite method of cleaning screens is with our screen cleaner which is a handy tool that connects to a water hose and has bristles that clean the screen when it is brushed back and forth between the bristles.

If the screen is too large for the screen cleaner, we will use a brush or scrubber to remove debris and spray them off with a hose.

If screens have been cleaned regularly and are being maintained, we will use a scrubber and a cloth to dry them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while window screens may seem inconspicuous, their upkeep plays a crucial role in maintaining a comfortable and healthy home environment. By cleaning your window screens regularly, you not only improve indoor air quality and enhance visibility but also contribute to the longevity of both your windows and screens. This simple maintenance task can have far-reaching benefits, from energy efficiency to pest prevention, making it a worthwhile investment in the overall well-being and aesthetics of your home. So, the next time you admire the view from your window, remember the unsung hero—the clean window screen—that makes it all possible.

What is a Broken Window Seal?

The window cleaner has finished the job and the glass still looks foggy, hazy, has drip marks or even water still on the glass. Terrible work? More likely a broken seal. Most all homes have thermopane windows. Thermopanes have two pieces of glass sandwiched together by a spacer that is usually 1/2” to ¾” thick. This spacer adheres the two pieces together and contains small beads of desiccant. The desiccants job is to prevent the buildup of moisture in between the panes of glass. When the seal “breaks” moisture is allowed to enter the space between the glass and starts to become a visual issue.

Different degrees of failure are easy to spot. A window with a light fog around the edges has just begun to go, but could equally stay the same or get worse. Bad examples can be full blown rain storms in between the panes! If the humidity levels can’t be kept at some sort of equilibrium between the interior and exterior of the home, condensation will form in the thermopane. This is why on a cold wet day things might look worse. The symptoms might not even be apparent on a sunny 70 degree day.

I observe these conditions in about 98% of the homes I do, so you are not alone. I have also noticed that most all window manufacturers have this problem. I strongly suspect that it has to do with our altitude. Windows that are built and sealed together at a much lower altitude have a lot of atmospheric pressure changes to deal with when heading ‘up the hill’. Some are built with small capillary tubes to deal with this. If they are not properly crimped when installed, it is an easy point for air intrusion.

Some windows seem to be more prone to failure than others. Large panes of glass that have site built frames are usually the worst. Add lots of sunlight or exposure to wind and the risk expands significantly. Odd shaped widows are also problematic. However, sliding glass doors seem to be immune to the broken seal. The one thing that will kill a window faster than anything is tint. Window films will not allow heat to pass through the glass. It is like taping a lid on a boiling pot of water, something has to give.

So what are your options? The problem is visual more than anything. Unless there is a huge amount of water in between, the damage is not bad. It may be ugly to look out but really shouldn’t cause much, if any, harm. Glass has an insulating value between R-2 and R-6 so no great losses in that area. A few companies offer in place repairs which usually involve drilling a few holes in the glass to “let off some steam”. I’ve seen some improvements with this method. If you have real bad mineral deposits or drips, skip this route. Really all that can be done to fix the problem is replacing the glass. More often than not, just the glass can be replaced. Not having the frame or the whole window assembly can bring the price of replacement back down to earth. The choice is yours, but it is really just visual.

Pine Pollen and Buildup on Windows

This time of year in the mountains, you take a deep breath and the scent of warm pine fills your nose. Springtime in the mountains is a rejuvenating season of new growth and greening. However, mountain residents are familiar with the yellow cloud of dust, PINE POLLEN. Buildup from the pollen gets on everything including your windows!

At Peak Window Cleaning, we have 25 years of experience living with pine pollen. We get all kinds of questions about the pollen, so we are going to answer the most common, like what it is and when does it fly.

Example of male cones that produce the pollen.

What is the yellow dust? In a nutshell, the yellow dust is apart the fertilization process for Conifers. These ancient trees are Gymnosperms and rather than a typical flower, they have cones. So birds and insects are little help to pollinate. The trees depend on the wind. The trees release a large amount of the yellow dust to increase the chance of pollination.

When does the pine pollen season start? Warm temperatures are the trigger for the process. So in Evergreen, Colorado one can expect when temperatures start to reach above 70°F during the day, which is about mid-June, the pollen will start to fly. The trees will release the most pollen on warm, dry, sunny, and windy days.

Example of male and female pine cones.

When does it end? The length of time the pine pollen flies varieties each year. In the mountain communities, the pine pollen typically flies for about two to three weeks. The dust is usually done by the first few weeks of July.

What makes some years worse than others? It actually depends on the previous season. For example, a very dry year followed by a year of good rain fall, the trees will release a very large amount. In a dry year the trees lay more dormant because of the lack of moisture, as if it knows it has a less likely chance to achieve pollination.

Now that we have answered some of the most common questions about the yellow dust, we hope you will be able to plan for the pine pollen.